McDonald’s Hong Kong mobile app and self-order kiosks break down

McDonald’s Hong Kong mobile app, self-order kiosks break down

A customer scrolls through a McDonald’s self-order kiosk in Tin Hau. The fast food chain’s app and kiosks in stores experienced an outage on Friday, the company said. Photo: Edmond So Hong KongSocietyMcDonald’s Hong Kong mobile app and self-order kiosks break down; customers told to order at counters

• Fast food giant blames a computer system failure, adds that services were gradually restored at about 4pm
• One customer says all but one kiosk broke down in McDonald’s in Jordan on Thursday night, causing long queues

The mobile app and self-order kiosks of fast food chain McDonald’s broke down in Hong Kong on Friday, forcing customers to place their orders at counters instead.

The company apologised for any problems experienced by customers on its website and Facebook page.

“Due to a computer system failure, the mobile ordering and self-ordering kiosks are not functioning,” it said at 2.30pm on Friday. “Please order directly at the restaurant counter. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.”

The firm’s computer system was gradually restored at about 4pm, according to a spokesman.

A Facebook user said her friend went to the fast food restaurant during the outage, and the staff wrote down orders on a piece of paper and accepted only cash.

Another customer said that all but one electronic kiosk was out of action at a McDonald’s outlet in Jordan on Thursday night, which led to long queues.

He added the problem appeared to have started at about 9pm last night. But the spokesman said the glitch at the Jordan outlet was unrelated to the system failure.

Hong Kong was not the only jurisdiction to be affected by glitches in the burger giant’s systems.

McDonald’s Japan said on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday afternoon that it had also suffered a systems failure.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and ask for your patience until the service is restored,” it said.

The delivery site for McDonald’s in Taiwan also showed that online and telephone ordering services were suspended for systems maintenance.

Overseas media have reported similar problems in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.